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ASIAN AMERICAN ISSUES
Kristin Kreuk: Next Asian American Beauty?
(Updated
Tuesday, Apr 1, 2008, 06:00:22 PM)
t isn't a question of droolworthiness. Her looks are dazzling enough to have locked up a lead role in each of her first three auditions, including the title role in an upcoming TV movie. It's more a question of whether most of us would identify hazel-eyed Smallville heartthrob Lana Lang as a fellow Asian.
Kristin Laura Kreuk was born to a Chinese mother and a Dutch father on December 30, 1982. She grew up in Vancouver, Canada. Kreuk, 5-4, had decided to go to college to study forensic pathology until, in her senior year, her drama teacher suggested she go to an audition for a new Fox Family series called Edgement. She was promptly plucked out of the open audition to play a Chinese Canadian high school student named Laurel Yeung. Even as she won fans in the role, she landed the Lana Lang role for WB's dramatization of Superboy's life as Clark Kent, then the role of Snow White in the ABC TV movie set for release in 2002. Kreuk's star-quality was obvious to all who tuned in for Smallville's premiere last October. Some even proclaimed her the show's main attraction.
But many Asian American viewers didn't even suspect Kreuk's Asian ancestry. Even those who learned of her mother's nationality questioned whether she can be claimed by Asian Americans. Without an Asian surname or obvious Asian facial features, they argue, Kreuk's success would do nothing for the image of Asians in the American media. Others might argue that most African American stars are, in fact, only fractionally of African descent.
Should we claim Kristin Kreuk and other hapas like her as Asian American celebrities? Or should that designation be reserved for those with a more obviously Asian identity?
This interactive article is closed to new input.
Discussions posted during the past year remain available for browsing.
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WHAT YOU SAY
[This page is closed to new input. --Ed.]
Who are we to put a tag on someone and state it with the big word "APPROVED"? She's half Asian so let her be. Maybe this is the reason why hapas rarely participate in such community like this.My main point here is: BE HUMBLE and DON'T PUSH HER to the edge!
naudina
Tuesday, March 25, 2003 at 00:12:54 (PST)
[66.8.234.187]
YES! Finally, an ASIAN star that made it very far.. she is beautiful and a good representative of asians.
SupaHfLypNay
Friday, March 21, 2003 at 15:50:28 (PST)
[68.46.97.184]
I think Kristen Kreuk is fine and all but one thing is for sure she will be asian no matter what. She know that and we all know that but I think it just messed up abandonning your own race. No matter what happen She will alway be asian and that is the truth. Also I would love to see more Asian actor/actress out there too cause it most Jet Li and Jackie Chan.
KAlaBeR
Tuesday, March 18, 2003 at 18:33:46 (PST)
[199.174.218.183]
I just have to say that it really irks me when people say just because a person is biracial they are not to be considered "Asian." Like Kristin, I am of caucasian and asian decent and I do not have an Asian surname. I consider myself both caucasion AND asian. No, I do not speak Tagalog like my Grandma, because she never spoke it around the house. My Grandpa could understand it, but he was raised in Hawaii, and therefore never spoke the language. However, I practice many of our asian traditions and can eat with chopsticks, if those are the skills I need to be considered Asian.
I also do not have very predominant Asian features. Yes, my eyes are slightly more slanted than my causcasian friends, but I do not have a flat nose like my mother. And my hair isn't a deep black, but more of a dark brown. So what? I'm still Asian. Get over it.
mixed
Monday, March 10, 2003 at 19:54:09 (PST)
[24.148.67.104]
She's a beautiful and talented person regardless of her background. i'm sure she didn't set out to become the spokesperson for the asian community. she is entitled to express her opinion just like everyone else. if you don't agree with her then don't watch her show.
GIVE HER A BREAK
Monday, March 10, 2003 at 14:35:16 (PST)
[167.206.53.226]
i think she s beautiful and all who say she isn t probably knows she is full blooded or not she one fine chick
daysi
Tuesday, March 04, 2003 at 22:20:07 (PST)
[139.225.163.71]
Kristin is a very pretty person, just because of her backrounds she should not be put down. she is very pretty and will always be acknowleged for that. her backround should not be a problem!
~*Lana Lang*~
Monday, March 03, 2003 at 15:13:00 (PST)
[67.24.138.136]
First off, I think Kirten Kreuk is a beautiful girl and very talented. Although she may not have an Asian last name, it is quite obvious that she has some features in her! When my mom and I first saw her on Smallville, we both immediately knew that Kirsten had to be mixed of some Asian descent. So, it is definitely wrong for us to say she is not able to represent Asian Americans in the media! Because she is representing us!
Ducky
Sunday, March 02, 2003 at 18:07:16 (PST)
[4.46.1.147]
She doesn't have to claim Asian or anything else, other than what she knows and grew up with. Media plays too much into the whole "Is she Asian or not" issue and takes away who she really is as an individual. Yes it's great to consider another Asian has hit stardom. But you also have to respect her accomplishments as an individual actress who doesn't need to be classified under a certain Ethnicity to get noticed.
Odlee
RMangoKingz@aol.com
Wednesday, February 26, 2003 at 16:34:08 (PST)
[170.224.224.134]
As a white american male I'm sorry to say I think claiming a person for a race is absolutley retarded in the 21rst century. Mixes like Kruek are our future and your heritages will be passed down , intermingled and hopefully graced with the beauty and knowledge that comes to us from people all over the world. Let's loose this lame idea of actors and actresses as being heros for a race. At least for the sake that they're just actors! They pretend to be other people. Why would you want that person to represent your race? I'll remind you of when Hally Berry thanked the black community for her oscar and said they stuck by her. I guess that means any other colored people didn't? I'd like ot stick by her but I'm afraid I'm not allowed now. Ridiculous, people, get with it. Oh, one more thing. My nephew is half white hlaf korean. He is a wonderful smart eight year old. If I can stereotype your race for a moment I'd like to say my nephew has those wonderful peaceful, gentle and clam smart analyzing skills that so many asians are blessed with. Time to share is what I say! My last plea to you all is to please marry republicans so that we may end their tyrany. THanks!
Daniel
Tuesday, February 25, 2003 at 19:56:21 (PST)
[63.154.45.40]
I think the question we should ask here
is not what we consider her to be, but what she herself thinks she is. I never did like classifications of poeple like that. I am from Guatamala and a full blooded mayan, but i consider myself an "American". Not a mayan american or what other poeple might say i am.
Christopher S. Preston
Friday, February 21, 2003 at 09:13:32 (PST)
[170.128.174.146]
I am a half Korean half white model/actress and I proudly stand up to my roots. When anyone asks me what my heritage is, I tell them. I am not ashamed at all. I speak fluently in Korean and can read and write too. But I must stand up for Kristen saying she does not want be under the "famous asian actors/actresses". It puts you under a limited catagory. When you go to an audition and they ask you why you're there, the worst thing you can do is say "I want to be the first famous (whatever nationality you are)". It gives off the impression that you're hung up on racial issues. And also it isn't a disgrace that she doesn't know how to speak Madarin. Alot of parents from multiracial families don't make it a huge point to teach their kids the language. They have other issues they want to worry about like happiness and family values. She knows how to speak English, she knows how to communicate, so that's all that should matter. Kristen is beautiful and very talented and we can all hope to be lucky enough to come into the fame that she has.
Sonya
Tuesday, February 18, 2003 at 08:17:11 (PST)
[12.255.156.41]
I think Kristin should be looked by everyone however she wants to. But i personally think that she should be seen as an Asian American celebrity because she is Asian too.
I LOVE KRISTIN KREUK!!!!!
jel
showstoppajjp@hotmail.com
Thursday, January 23, 2003 at 08:26:05 (PST)
[64.9.10.226]
So if she not full asian you have to decide on whether are not to claim her.
Somehow that doesn't seem right. So is she like a dog if she's not full breed she not worth the money and should just be left at the pound. Thats what this question sounds like its saying! My boyfriend is full asian and always happy to meet a new
asian considering there arent that many where we live. He met this one guy who was like 1\4 asian at the most and he always refers to him as his asian brother. He didnt sit and decide wheather or not to claim him as asian or not. So it should be no different for celebraities.
Unless she's aginst being asian or something.
wf
Wednesday, January 22, 2003 at 16:02:13 (PST)
[208.10.139.6]
Who are we to say that she's not Asian? It's up to her to decide how she wants to be perceived and how she sees herself that matters.
nsearch
Wednesday, January 22, 2003 at 16:02:09 (PST)
[198.64.25.206]
This sounds like a silly question, but how is her last name pronounced? is is KROYK, or KRUCK or KROOK?
Just wondering
Wednesday, January 22, 2003 at 11:17:30 (PST)
[161.159.4.21]
She must be more than 1/2 white...was her mom half-white also? Because her eyes are not brown, and if one parent is pure Asian, she should have brown eyes too!!!!
anya
Wednesday, January 22, 2003 at 00:17:31 (PST)
[171.66.165.34]
what ever!! otherwise!! kristine is a good one.
louis
louis @ yahoo. com.
Tuesday, January 21, 2003 at 22:38:38 (PST)
[202.138.185.79]
yea shes pretty and i could tell shes part asian, but u DOPES, shes not asian american, she's a damned canadian!! asian caNADIAN
elena
Tuesday, January 21, 2003 at 09:30:04 (PST)
[172.168.133.114]
In reponse to the article on Kristin Kreuk's "Asian-ness," I feel really uncomfortable with the idea of stripping racial and ethnic identity to mere physical markers. In my opinion, if Kristin identifies fully with her Asian heritage, then she is Asian. If she identifies with her Dutch heritage, she's Dutch. If she identifies with both, then she is both. AND if she identified with neither and instead with a completely different group like Latina or African-American, then I'd say she was of the respective group. I would like to add, however, that when I mean "identify with," I am referring to a sincere and honest affiliation to a certain group. This does not mean identifying with a group simply because it is in vogue to do so, but I refer to a genuine sharing of the beliefs and customs of that group. As long as an individual feels comfortable with their identity, I don't think it is ANYONE's place to tell that individual which group they belong to.
I also think it's ridiculous to ask Kristin--as a part Asian, part Dutch actress--to be the spokesperson for all Asian Americans in the media and society in general. Sure, I think it's great to see more diversity on television. But I'd rather appreciate Kristin as a good actress and leave it at that. It's not her duty to establish Asian Americans in the acting field. If you want that to happen, I think YOU should be the one to start that campaign.
Hannah
Monday, January 20, 2003 at 09:35:21 (PST)
[160.39.130.208]
kristne kruek is gorgeous and when i first saw her i was stunned. i am asian and i say that she does represent us. she may be only 1/2 asian, but that's good enough for me
hellogoodbye
Saturday, January 18, 2003 at 22:09:07 (PST)
[66.25.37.22]
I could tell she was Chinese without looking it up...in fact, she does have distinct Asian features. That's what makes her beauty so unique and dazzling. I'm Chinese-Indonesian and Dutch and I think that there aren't alot of Asian celebrities, so let's be thankful we at least have Kristin.
Sarah
Saturday, January 18, 2003 at 17:40:00 (PST)
[64.231.175.113]
of course!
it's hard enough being mixed without having to worry about which race you "qualify" for...it's not like there's a whole contingent of Dutch-Chinese supporters
Sarah
Saturday, January 18, 2003 at 13:44:35 (PST)
[129.22.16.245]
I'm full asain,but i don't really look it. I'm half chinese, half lao, i've also got thai and veitnamese running through me as well.(which makes me look like sometimes i'm chinese,sometimes or italian, half chinese and english)Most of the nationalities you can think of.I've read someone's comment here(i forgot who's)and that person wrote that they've seen her in photo's and have said sometimes she looks asain, and sometimes she doesn't. That's just the same with me.(and don't forget i'm full asain too)To tell you honestly,i think that Kristin kinda of looks more asain then i do.(and she's only half 2)I mean i hardly look asain and yet i'm considerd as an asain.I think that ssshe might not be full asain,but so what?she still is asain.There has never been a rule,saying to be considered as an asain you've got look as a full or even have a asain surname...I don't really have an asain surname(and yet i'm considerd as an asain)I don't even think anyone of this certain country,has even heard of anyone havin the surname that i've got for a surname.(i'm putting in my surname,out of everyone in australia my family& my cousins are the only ones that have this surname)
And the funny thing is i have no blood relation at all to this place.Nobody in my family or parents and ect.have this nationality in them.(its an asain country, but away from most of them)And
I'm still considered asain.I think that as long as you've got in you then you are.
And, what are some of the other asains saying about Kristin.Saying that shes not to be consided asain cos'she doesn't have the typical asain features.And to honestly, say even though i'm asain,but the typical asain features are not very nice looking...Sounds to me more like they're jelous. I mean what all of a sudden some younger,fresh,good-looking girl comes along. and they've got nothing eles to brag about, and seeing asthough this seems to be the topic everyones talikng about, they'd probably thought, "might as well just slam right down hard at her"...For example lucy lui, she has the typical asain face, one you'll find anywhere. And,the majority of people that i've encounted don't find lucy lui very attractive,and i don't either..
~~~~~~~~~~~~~Reflections~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Vanessa Kennix ******
Swetheart_Kennix1@yahoo.com
Wednesday, January 15, 2003 at 21:50:31 (PST)
[203.134.134.3]
The fact is still there that she is half-Asian. Therefore, for me she is an Asian American celebrity.
leo
Wednesday, January 15, 2003 at 20:52:40 (PST)
[203.131.105.186]
Who cares what we should claim her!!! She is FABULOUSLY HOT!!! And that's we should claim her to be.
Balkster
Thursday, January 09, 2003 at 16:44:41 (PST)
[64.152.160.196]
Honestly, Kristen is VERY GORGEOUS.. When you look at her, you can tell right away that she has some asian in her. I think she's very beautiful but it's wrong of her not wanting to be known as an asian chick.. Being asian isn't bad, just because we asians may not be as popular as you Americans out there. We'll eventually get up there.
qUeEnaLiCiOuS
Wednesday, January 08, 2003 at 07:50:57 (PST)
[65.117.244.241]
All I can say is that she deserves to be famous. She's one of the prettiest faces I have ever seen. In fact, I envy her. Imagine being torn between two equally gorgeous young men in smallville! I also liked the episode where a guy named Jeremy was crazy about her.
Eileen
Wednesday, January 08, 2003 at 04:12:01 (PST)
[203.160.184.143]
Kristin definitely looks white. Whether or not we should claim her as an Asian American is a hard on question. I personally doubt that she can speak her mother's native asian language. To me if you can speak your parents or grand parents native language you're a white washed AA. Personally I think she would care less whether or not she's an Asian American, but heck why not claim her an Asian American. One more celebrity gives Asian Americans one more person in the showbiz to look up to.
InvaznGTS
Tuesday, January 07, 2003 at 15:52:23 (PST)
[67.118.253.199]
To Everyone:
I know some don't think American is an ethnicity but I do. Brazilians are a mixture of Portugese, Arab, Japanese, Spanish, German, etc but they(and we) consider them ethnically Brazilian. How can one consider Brazilian an ethnicty but not American? It's incomprehnsible
American is an ethnicity. WE don't think so because we live here. We are too aware of the vast array of cultures that make up an American ethnicity and we forget that cultural and ethnic mixing is not exclusive to us.
Argentines, Chileans, Mexicans, Canadians, Peruvians, South AFricans, Russians, Afghanis, New Zelanders are just as mixed as Americans. Read the history. Travel to these countries. Look at the people. Eat the cuisine. If every other nation is also an ethnicity then so is AMerica and Canada.
Vatican City is the only country that I would say doesn't have it's own ethnicity.
Frustrated too much
Tuesday, January 07, 2003 at 09:53:24 (PST)
[208.14.6.170]
to frustrated: i never said that gaining citizenship was exclusive to america or anything of the sort. to answer your inquiry Brazilian, Mexican, Argentine, Puerto Rican are ethnicities because they all are unique. the race for all these would be hispanic. they are also all nationalities. however when someone calls someone mexican u think of a hispanic person dont you? it's automatic because society designates people racially. if i was raised and born in mexico i could call myself mexican but i would never be racially mexican/latina/hispanic. it's a complicated issue.
Lilywater47
Monday, January 06, 2003 at 22:10:46 (PST)
[66.147.146.235]
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